First, thanks Vin for all the updates you've provided over the course of the season. I've been a lurker at Razzball for a couple years now. Just found out about the RCL before this season started. Thought, well that sounds fun and it's free. I also had entered another league that's based off the FBBC format, and there was a slow draft that ended about when the RCL draft started for Trippin' Baseballs. I had a pretty decent idea of who I wanted to draft out of the chute, and I didn't want to have two totally different teams if I could help it. Hate it when you're happy that this guy in one league helped you, and in the other league he screwed you at the same time. I usually keep to one team a year, but both these leagues were free, so figured what the hell.

The Trippin' Baseballs draft started, and I believe there were 4-5 teams on auto draft, which really ended up being a pain in the ass. Three of those teams were right in a row. While it made for a fast draft, the 60 second clock, combined with lightning fast picks before/after my selection just kinda made things hectic. I tried to keep up with my spreadsheet in the beginning, but kinda gave up on that as the draft progressed and just basically winged it from there. My basic strategy was I wasn't going to draft a pitcher the first three rounds. Braun was the best guy left for me in the 1st round, and I knew I was going to go some combo of 1B/3B the next two rounds. I set aside my Red Sox love to draft Teixeira in Round 2, and then Bautista was the best 3B left for me in Round 3. I didn't want to take Kinsler, but the clock was running out cause of those damned auto picks before me and I was scared what the auto pick was going to give me. Plus 2B was awful thin at that point. I had Hamels and Billingsley in my other league, and I felt comfortable drafting them as my first two starters for the RCL.

After that, I wasn't flying by my spreadsheet anymore, it was just too hectic with all the auto picks. I reached on Tabata, but I didn't think he'd last. He started off great but was a POS since. Now that I dropped him he'll probably come back healthy and bite me in the ass. I basically winged it the rest of the way. Picking off familiar names that I drafted on my other team, filling holes, etc. I had such a good start that there wasn't really any necessity for me to trade or make that many moves right out of the block. I've never been a big trader, so I haven't made any offers. I received an offer of Feliz for Swisher which I almost pulled the trigger on. Decided against it though as I felt good at closer and thought trading Swisher would create a hole in my OF. I thought maybe I could have flipped Feliz for something better than Swisher, but that would require effort on my part and in the end I was just feeling lazy and decided to roll with the squad I had.

Anyways, it's a long season, my team is due for some adversity. And even if the worm doesn't turn, I'm pretty sure the league activity factor will crop up and be a deciding factor. I'm thrilled with how things have gone so far, but lots of baseball left.

Yeah no doubt you are having a phenomenal season so far PPD's. You really hit the draft lottery with Braun+Teix+Bautista. Top to bottom...just an A+ draft. 112 points is an amazing number for a 12-teamer. Once you get to about 95, those additional points start becoming harder and harder to come by. So kudos on that.

Good luck rest of season. Hopefully my team can make a real run at you in the 2nd half.

I'm comin for ya Pesky. at about 103.5 points right now in Partially Torn RCL, but I've only used 75 starts. My problem is that aside from Weaver and Verlander, I'm stuck starting Bumgarner, Ogando and streamers. Not sure if I'll be able to keep the low ERA and WHIP.

But yeah, I've also got 60 pts from offense, and with a few more wins and K's I should get pretty close to you if I don't run into injuries somewhere along the way.

That said, you're beating me in every offensive category, so catching you stat-wise is going to be tough.